Agbeko Wants Santa Cruz

Joseph Agbeko is offering an early holiday present for boxing fans by proposing a fight between himself and newly crowned WBC Super-bantamweight Champion Leo Santa Cruz.

“What a great fight and challenge it would be. Two action fighters going head to head. Santa Cruz doesn’t take a backward step. He keeps throwing punches constantly,” Agbeko said. “I’m an all action fighter. It’s a perfect television fight.

“I watched Santa Cruz and he’s improved a good deal.. He fought a good fight,. He looked strong and confident. But he has not fought the best yet. Santa Cruz has never been in a fighting war like some of us. I think Golden Boy has moved him well. He is proving himself at every level. Now he is ready for the big names and the big war.”

The 33-year-old Agbeko (29-4, 22 KOs) is the former two-time IBF World Bantamweight Champion and the reigning IBO bantam king, but as a new promotional free-agent he is looking for the elite challengers.

“I want Santa Cruz now. He needs the big match up, a name opponent like myself to prove himself. I want to show the world that Santa Cruz is not untouchable. I will make him look bad,” Agbeko said. “He needs to be tested by the best to prove he is the best. I don’t think there is any other opponent for him that Golden Boy and Showtime can get that will offer the excitement and action that I will.”

Agbeko challenged Guillermo Rigondeaux last week and hasn’t heard a peep from the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist.and current WBA and WBO world champion.

“Rigondeaux has said he’ll fight anyone and I believe he will. He has confidence that he can beat anyone, but who else is there for him to fight that offers a challenge like me?” Agbeko wondered. “When he just said he would keep fighting his style, he was just telling boxing fans that he didn’t care if he was boring as long as he wins. I think we owe the boxing fans and television networks excitement. We get paid to entertain people. I believe Rigondeaux and me would be a good television fight because I will force the action, taking him out of his comfort zone making it exciting.”

As for former champ Abner Mares getting stopped in the first round by Jhonny Gonzalez, Agbeko believes his former adversary will be back in top form.

“He got caught by a big puncher. He’s a good fighter. I‘m sure he‘ll be back and be world champion again,” Agbeko said. “Hopefully I get to challenge him once more, but for now I think the best opponent for me is Santa Cruz. It will be great test for both of us, a terrific TV fight, just the kind of all out action that boxing fans want.”